SK Rapid Wien

VS

UECL Play-offs

26.08.2026 | 19:45 EEST

Hearts

Rapid Wien Host Hearts in High-Stakes European Play-off Second Leg

Everything is on the line tonight at the Allianz Stadion in Vienna as SK Rapid take on Hearts in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League qualification play-off. With the tie balanced on a knife-edge, both clubs are 90 minutes away from securing a coveted spot in the main tournament group stage.

First Leg Recap: What Happened at Tynecastle?

The first leg in Edinburgh delivered high drama as Hearts and Rapid Wien battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Tynecastle Park. Rapid took the lead in the 30th minute through defender Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao, who headed home to give the visitors a half-time advantage.

The Scottish side staged a quick comeback early in the second half. An own goal by Raux-Yao in the 56th minute leveled the match, and substitute James Wilson put Hearts ahead in the 61st minute. However, Rapid’s depth showed as 19-year-old Nikolaus Wurmbrand came off the bench to score a crucial equalizer in the 78th minute, ensuring the Austrians returned home on equal footing.

Full Match Analysis & Current Form

Rapid Wien enter this fixture as strong favorites on home soil. The Green-Whites have enjoyed an explosive start to their 2026 campaign, highlighted by a dominant 8-0 victory over Grazer AK in the Austrian Bundesliga right before the first leg. With an attacking unit featuring Matthias Seidl, Ercan Kara, and Yusuf Demir, Rapid have averaged over three goals per home match in European qualifying so far.

Hearts, under manager Wouter Vrancken, have displayed resilience after being eliminated from the Europa League qualifiers by Benfica. While the Jambos generated 17 shot attempts in the first leg, their away form remains a significant concern. Hearts have struggled on the road this season, losing all three of their away games prior to this fixture and conceding 12 goals.

Qualification Scenarios

With the aggregate score tied at 2-2, the away goals rule does not apply:

• Rapid Wien Win: Rapid advance to the Conference League main stage.
• Hearts Win: Hearts qualify for the Conference League main stage.
• Any Draw: The match goes to 30 minutes of extra time and penalties if needed.

Where to Watch

Fans can watch the match live on local sports networks broadcasting the UEFA Conference League play-offs or stream it via the official Sofascore application. Check local listings for exact regional coverage.